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JavaScript JSON

JSON is a format for storing and transporting data.

JSON is often used when data is sent from a server to a web page.



What is JSON?

 
  • JSON stands for JavaScript Object Notation
  • JSON is lightweight data interchange format
  • JSON is language independent *
  • JSON is "self-describing" and easy to understand
  • * The JSON syntax is derived from JavaScript object notation syntax, but the JSON format is text only. Code for reading and generating JSON data can be written in any programming language.

    JSON Example

     

    This JSON syntax defines an employees object: an array of 3 employee records (objects):

    JSON Example

    {
    "employees":[
        {"firstName":"John", "lastName":"Doe"},
        {"firstName":"Anna", "lastName":"Smith"},
        {"firstName":"Peter", "lastName":"Jones"}
    ]
    }

    The JSON Format Evaluates to JavaScript Objects


     

    The JSON format is syntactically identical to the code for creating JavaScript objects.

    Because of this similarity, a JavaScript program can easily convert JSON data into native JavaScript objects.

    JSON Syntax Rules

     

    JSON Data - A Name and a Value

     

    JSON data is written as name/value pairs, just like JavaScript object properties.

    A name/value pair consists of a field name (in double quotes), followed by a colon, followed by a value:

    "firstName":"John"

    JSON names require double quotes. JavaScript names do not.

    JSON Objects

     

    JSON objects are written inside curly braces.

    Just like in JavaScript, objects can contain multiple name/value pairs:

    {"firstName":"John", "lastName":"Doe"}

    JSON Arrays

     

    JSON arrays are written inside square brackets.

    Just like in JavaScript, an array can contain objects:

    "employees":[
        {"firstName":"John", "lastName":"Doe"},
        {"firstName":"Anna", "lastName":"Smith"},
        {"firstName":"Peter", "lastName":"Jones"}
    ]

    In the example above, the object "employees" is an array. It contains three objects.

    Each object is a record of a person (with a first name and a last name).

    Converting a JSON Text to a JavaScript Object

     

    A common use of JSON is to read data from a web server, and display the data in a web page.

    For simplicity, this can be demonstrated using a string as input (or read more in our JSON tutorial):

    First, create a JavaScript string containing JSON syntax:

    var text = '{ "employees" : [' +
    '{ "firstName":"John" , "lastName":"Doe" },' +
    '{ "firstName":"Anna" , "lastName":"Smith" },' +
    '{ "firstName":"Peter" , "lastName":"Jones" } ]}';

    Then, use the JavaScript built-in function JSON.parse() to convert the string into a JavaScript object:

    var obj = JSON.parse(text);

    Finally, use the new JavaScript object in your page:

    Example

    <p id="demo"></p>

    <script>
    document.getElementById("demo").innerHTML =
    obj.employees[1].firstName + " " + obj.employees[1].lastName;
    </script>
    Try it Yourself

    You can read more about JSON in our JSON tutorial.